Free Crochet Pumpkin Pattern in 6 Sizes: From Mini to Magnificent

There is something undeniably magical about the moment autumn arrives and the urge to fill every corner of your home with cozy, handmade decorations takes over. Pumpkins are the undisputed symbol of the season, and crocheted pumpkins are even better — they last forever, they never rot on your porch, and they can be made in literally any color you can dream up. Teal pumpkins, white pumpkins, striped pumpkins, or classic burnt orange — the only limit is your yarn stash.

This free crochet pumpkin pattern gives you six sizes in one place, from a tiny ornament you can hang on a wreath to a large statement piece that anchors your fall centerpiece. Whether you are a beginner getting comfortable with working in the round or an experienced crocheter looking to whip up a dozen in an afternoon, you will find exactly what you need right here. Grab your hook, pull out that cozy yarn, and let’s make some pumpkins.

What You’ll Need

Before diving into the pattern itself, let’s gather supplies. Because this pattern comes in six sizes, the materials shift slightly depending on which size or sizes you plan to make.

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (category 4) works beautifully for sizes small through extra-large. For the tiniest pumpkin (mini), a fingering or sport weight yarn gives a more delicate result, and for the jumbo size, a bulky weight (category 5 or 6) creates an impressively large pumpkin without requiring endless rounds. Any fiber content works — acrylic is budget-friendly and easy to care for, while cotton gives a slightly more structured shape. Wool or wool blends add a wonderful rustic texture.

Hooks: Match your hook to your yarn. For worsted weight, a 5.0mm (H/8) hook is standard. Go down to a 3.5mm or 4.0mm hook for fingering or sport weight, and up to a 6.0mm or larger for bulky yarn. Using a slightly smaller hook than recommended on the yarn label creates a tighter fabric, which helps the pumpkin hold its stuffed shape without gaps showing the polyfill inside.

Other supplies:
Polyester fiberfill stuffing
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Scissors
Brown or green pipe cleaners or twisted paper wire for the stem (optional)
A length of natural jute twine or ribbon for decoration (optional)

Gauge: For this pattern, gauge is flexible because pumpkins are forgiving in shape. A rough guide for worsted weight with a 5.0mm hook is 14 stitches and 16 rows in 4 inches of single crochet. However, small variations in gauge will simply result in a slightly larger or smaller pumpkin, which is perfectly fine.

Abbreviations and Stitches Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.

MR — Magic ring
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next 2 stitches, yarn over, pull through both front loops, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook)
BLO — Back loop only
st(s) — Stitch(es)
rnd — Round
rep — Repeat

All rounds are worked in a continuous spiral unless otherwise noted. Do not join at the end of each round unless the pattern specifically says to. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round.

Understanding the Pumpkin Structure

Before jumping into the individual size instructions, it helps to understand how these pumpkins are constructed. Each pumpkin is made in two main sections: the body and the stem.

The body is worked in the round from the bottom up. You will increase at the beginning to form the base, work straight rounds to build height, and then decrease at the top to close the opening — leaving just enough space to stuff before finishing. Once stuffed, a long tail of yarn is threaded through the tapestry needle and woven through the vertical stitches around the middle of the pumpkin, then pulled tight. This cinching technique is what creates those classic pumpkin ribs and transforms a plain sphere into an unmistakable pumpkin shape.

The stem is worked separately and sewn on top, or you can use a pipe cleaner or twisted wire wrapped in green yarn or twine for a curly, whimsical look. Both options are included below.

The Pattern: Six Sizes

Size 1 — Mini Pumpkin (approximately 2 inches tall, 2.5 inches wide)

Recommended yarn: Fingering or sport weight
Hook: 3.5mm (E/4)
Finished size: About 2 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide after cinching

Body:

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (18 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (18 sts)
Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. (18 sts)
Rnd 7: [Sc 1, dec] rep 6 times. (12 sts)

Stuff lightly with fiberfill. Do not overstuff at this stage — you will add a bit more after cinching if needed.

Rnd 8: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches and pull gently to close. Do not cut yet — use this tail for cinching.

Cinching: Thread your long tail on a tapestry needle. Insert the needle down through the center top of the pumpkin, all the way through to the bottom center, and pull gently. Bring the needle back up through the bottom center and again down through the top, looping around a different vertical column of stitches each time. After 4 to 6 passes, you will see the ribs forming. Pull the yarn with consistent, gentle tension until you are happy with the shape. Tie off and weave in ends.

Size 2 — Small Pumpkin (approximately 3 inches tall, 3.5 inches wide)

Recommended yarn: Worsted weight (category 4)
Hook: 5.0mm (H/8)

Body:

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnds 5–8: Sc around. (24 sts each round)
Rnd 9: [Sc 2, dec] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 10: [Sc 1, dec] rep 6 times. (12 sts)

Stuff firmly. Add extra fiberfill at this point if needed.

Rnd 11: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off and cinch as described above.

Size 3 — Medium Pumpkin (approximately 4 inches tall, 5 inches wide)

Recommended yarn: Worsted weight (category 4)
Hook: 5.0mm (H/8)

Body:

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnds 6–11: Sc around. (30 sts each round)
Rnd 12: [Sc 3, dec] rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 13: [Sc 2, dec] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 14: [Sc 1, dec] rep 6 times. (12 sts)

Stuff firmly.

Rnd 15: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off and cinch.

Size 4 — Large Pumpkin (approximately 5.5 inches tall, 6.5 inches wide)

Recommended yarn: Worsted weight (category 4)
Hook: 5.0mm (H/8)

Body:

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] rep 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnds 7–14: Sc around. (36 sts each round)
Rnd 15: [Sc 4, dec] rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 16: [Sc 3, dec] rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 17: [Sc 2, dec] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 18: [Sc 1, dec] rep 6 times. (12 sts)

Stuff firmly.

Rnd 19: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off and cinch.

Size 5 — Extra Large Pumpkin (approximately 7 inches tall, 8 inches wide)

Recommended yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) or light bulky
Hook: 5.5mm–6.0mm

Body:

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] rep 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] rep 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnds 8–17: Sc around. (42 sts each round)
Rnd 18: [Sc 5, dec] rep 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 19: [Sc 4, dec] rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 20: [Sc 3, dec] rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 21: [Sc 2, dec] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 22: [Sc 1, dec] rep 6 times. (12 sts)

Stuff firmly — this size needs a generous amount of fiberfill to maintain its shape after cinching.

Rnd 23: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off and cinch, making 6–8 passes for more pronounced ribs.

Size 6 — Jumbo Pumpkin (approximately 9 inches tall, 11 inches wide)

Recommended yarn: Bulky weight (category 5 or 6)
Hook: 6.5mm–8.0mm

Body:

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] rep 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] rep 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnd 8: [Sc 6, inc] rep 6 times. (48 sts)
Rnds 9–20: Sc around. (48 sts each round)
Rnd 21: [Sc 6, dec] rep 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnd 22: [Sc 5, dec] rep 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 23: [Sc 4, dec] rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 24: [Sc 3, dec] rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 25: [Sc 2, dec] rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 26: [Sc 1, dec] rep 6 times. (12 sts)

Stuff very firmly before closing.

Rnd 27: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off and cinch with 8–10 passes for deep, defined ribs.

The Stem

The stem can be made for any size pumpkin using the following instructions. Simply scale the length to suit your pumpkin — 4 to 6 rounds for small pumpkins, 8 to 12 rounds for larger ones.

With brown or dark green yarn and a hook one size smaller than you used for the body:

Rnd 1: MR, 5 sc into ring. (5 sts)
Rnds 2–8 (or more): Sc around without increasing or decreasing. (5 sts each round)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff the stem. Use the tail to sew the stem to the top center of the pumpkin, nestling it right into the cinch point so it sits naturally upright.

For a curly tendril, cut a pipe cleaner slightly longer than your desired tendril length, bend one end into a small loop so it won’t poke through the yarn, and wrap green yarn tightly around it. Attach this to the base of the stem before sewing the stem onto the pumpkin, or tuck it in at the join.

Leaves (Optional but Adorable)

A simple leaf adds so much charm to a finished pumpkin and takes only a few minutes to make.

With green yarn and a 4.0mm–5.0mm hook:

Ch 12.
Sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next 3, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in next, ch 3, then working back along the opposite side of the foundation chain: sl st in same st as last sl st, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next 3, hdc in next, sc in next 2, sl st to join.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Attach at the base of the stem.

Tips for Perfect Pumpkins

Getting a beautiful result is mostly about two things: consistent tension and a confident cinch.

Tension matters more than you might think when it comes to stuffed amigurumi-style projects. If your stitches are too loose, the stuffing will show through the gaps and the pumpkin will look sloppy. If they are too tight, you will struggle